“I have always wished to become a champion” - ONE newcomer Kana ready to shake up talent-stacked women’s striking division
Kickboxing icon Kana Morimoto hopes to get a shot at someone in the rankings right out of the gate.
Earlier this year, the multi-time world champion signed a deal with ONE Championship and is closing in on her highly anticipated promotional debut. Thus far, no official announcement has been made regarding her first opponent or when she will make her premiere appearance, but Morimoto is hoping it'll be against someone who puts her right into title contention.
“I have always wished to become a champion so I want to fight someone in the rankings to prove I deserve that title shot," Morimoto to the Bangkok Post. "I want to fight someone who has experienced a title fight as well.”
Before signing with ONE Championship, Morimoto made a name for herself in Japan under the K-1 banner. There, she won the K-1 Women's Flyweight World Grand Prix tournament in 2019 and is a former K-1 flyweight world champion, defending the title three times during her tenure.
Kana Morimoto ready to excite ONE Championship fans in her promotional debut
In the last year, ONE has seen an influx of K-1 standouts coming into the promotion with mixed rules—the most notable being former three-division K-1 titleholder Takeru Segawa.
'The Natural Born Crusher' came up short in his promotional debut against Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 164, but to be fair, he was facing one of the most well-rounded strikers in all of combat sports.
Still, Morimoto made it a point to let ONE fans know that she's coming into the promotion determined to show that fighters from Japan and the K-1 organization can compete with the best in the world.
"I want to showcase that this fighter from Japan and K-1 can excite the audience in the stadium."
Are you excited to see Kana Morimoto make her promotional debut?
Check out some of Morimoto's best highlights below: